Becoming a Saint

Canonization is the formal process the Catholic Church uses to declare someone is a saint

What is a saint?

"The Church through the Pope solemnly declares a Catholic to be united with God in heaven, an intercessory to God on behalf of the living, and worthy of public and universal veneration." (USCCB)

The purpose of a cause of canonization is to examine one's life and death to determine (a) if he/she were martyred or (b) lived a life of virtue.

1. (Arch)diocesan Phase

A petition to open a cause is made to an (arch)diocese.

After the (arch)bishop opens the cause, the person is declared a "Servant of God." The (arch)diocese investigates how the person lived a "heroic, virtuous life" through a full theological examination of his/her writings and interviews of witnesses; for martyrdom, by examining the circumstances of martyrdom and the person's life.